The present invention relates to an apparatus, suitable for generating energy in an aquatic environment. A preferred embodiment has at least two water piston assemblies connected to a power transfer system, such as a crankshaft or a rack and pinion drive. Each water piston assembly has a water container that slides within a casing. The casing controls the presence of water within the piston assemblies though a system of doors that opens and closes to assist with water intake and expulsion within the water container. Furthermore, the water container has ports which allow water to drain from the water container onto a water exit assembly. The water is then preferably channeled toward a generator or a turbine that converts the kinetic energy of the water flow into an electrical energy.
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1. An apparatus, suitable for generating energy in a aquatic environment, comprising:
a power transfer linkage;
at least two water piston assemblies connected to the power transfer linkage, each water piston assembly having:
a casing immobilized on a base, the casing having an inner wall and outer wall linked at the casing top, forming a hollow gap between the inner and outer walls,
the casing having an opening, suitable to receive water,
the casing further having a bottom, the bottom having a door system to allow water into a water container;
the water container also having a side wall and a bottom,
the side wall of the water container slidably fitting between the inner wall and outer wall of the casing within the space formed by the hollow gap;
the water container bottom having openable ports which allow water to drain from the water container to a water exit assembly;
wherein when said casing door system is open water flows into said water container, moving said water container in a downward path while simultaneously pushing the water container from the other piston assembly in an upward direction, moving the power transfer linkage in a manner to create power.
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This application claims the priority of U.S. Ser. No. 61/270,983 filed on Jul. 15, 2009, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.
The invention relates to a device capable of generating energy by transferring a quantity of water between chambers with a reciprocating motion piston device.
The invention relates to a device capable of harnessing hydropower and gravity to drive a power transfer system. The flow of water is then channeled through the device which will spin an axis connected to a turbine, or directly to a generator, to convert the kinetic energy of the moving water into electric energy. Hydropower is the most abundant and oldest known source of renewable energy in the world and experiencing resurgence in popularity as humanity struggles to find alternative sources of energy.
The most prevalent contemporary use of hydropower today is in the production of electricity. The present invention is a novel improvement in this field of art, as it presents a device capable of channeling water from a water container or piston into a shoot or piston cylinder that is connected to a pinion drive or a crankshaft, which are then connected to a generator or a turbine. The water itself is channeled away from the invention into another body of water or into drainage.
There are many advantages to hydroelectric power, some have already been mentioned. It is abundant and relatively easy to tap. However, the present means to generate hydroelectric power also have many disadvantages. Most of the negative impact is attributed to dams. Reservoirs associated with large dams can cover dry land and river habitat with water, drastically alter appearance of a landscape, decimate native ecosystems and displace human populations. Naturally, dams have had a particular negative impact on fish species that need to continue using the now dammed body of water for breeding, feeding and other migratory activity. Additionally, the stagnant water attributed to reservoirs contributes to the spread of undesirable algae infestation and to growth of a variety of aquatic vegetation that was previously not existent.
A number of devices were introduced in the past to resolve the problems associated with large scale damming. However, these devices introduce a number of problems of their own. Overall, these tend to be overly intricate and difficult to implement, requiring complex and expensive setups. These replacement devices do not necessarily prevent damage to the environment and otherwise tend to be extremely bulky and intrusive. On the contrary, the present invention is located toward the bottom of a water filled chamber, with the rest of the assembly located beneath the floor of the chamber. Also unlike existing devices, the present invention may be driven solely on the weight of the water and on natural force of gravity. Additionally, the present invention is very scalable and is effective in small and large embodiments.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,857 discloses The present invention relates to an apparatus for the generation of power and its method comprising two cylinders, and pistons disposed in the cylinders, and a lever arm containing weighted balls disposed therein and connected to the pistons, whereby the balls are transferred from one end portion of the lever arm to the other end portion thereof and the lever arm, moves up and down about its axis by the force of floats or pistons and the weighted balls.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,078 teaches a system for gravity generation of electricity which includes upper and lower water reservoirs with a conduit between the reservoirs and a pump to continuously pump water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir. A number of water containers are positioned side-by-side and mounted for up and down travel between the upper and lower reservoirs. When the containers have attained their upper most position at the upper reservoir, they are engaged by limit switch mechanisms to fill the containers with water from the upper reservoir. Upon being filled the containers travel by gravity to their lower most position to the lower reservoir wherein additional limit switch mechanisms are employed to drain the containers into the bottom reservoir. As the containers travel downwardly, they engage and drive an electric generator for generating large quantities of electricity. Once the containers are at their lower most position and have been fully drained they are driven back up to the upper reservoir for refill by independent geared motors.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0130475 discloses A power generator has a reservoir, a tube, a drive assembly, and multiple floats. The reservoir is filled with a liquid and has a top opening and a side opening. The tube protrudes into the reservoir through the side opening. The drive assembly has four pedestals, four shafts, four sprockets and a chain. The shafts are rotatably mounted respectively in the pedestals. The sprockets are mounted on and rotate the shafts. The chain is mounted around and engages the sprockets in a loop. Each float has a buoyant body and multiple annular seals. The floats are attached to the chain so at least one float is in the tube at all times and are forced up in the reservoir by buoyancy when the floats are submerged in the reservoir. The annular seals are mounted around the floats to prevent liquid from leaking out of the tube.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0052028 relates to a hydraulic power generation system employs a plurality of buckets carried by an endless chain to receive water falling from height and drive the chain, which in turn drives a water pumping device to raise water to the height for automatic and continuous generation of power.
Various implements are known in the art, but fail to address all the problem solved by the invention described herein. One embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein below.
The present invention relates to an apparatus, suitable for generating energy in an aquatic environment. A preferred embodiment has at least two water piston assemblies connected to a power transfer system, such as a crankshaft or a rack and pinion drive. Each water piston assembly has a water container that slides within a casing. The casing controls the presence of water within the piston assemblies through a system of doors or valves that open and close to assist with water intake and expulsion within the water container. Furthermore, the water container or cylinder has ports which allow water to drain into a water exit assembly. These ports are preferably lined-up in such a way that the only time the water can exit is when the water container is at the bottom of its stroke or bottom dead center. The water may then be channeled toward a generator or a turbine that converts the kinetic energy of the water flow into an electrical energy. This conversion may take place instead of, or in addition to, the electrical energy generation that is likely to be produced by the spinning components of a power transfer system of the present invention. The water may also simply flow away from the device.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for generating energy in an aquatic environment.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that harnesses hydro power coupled with the earth's force of gravity.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that is simple and relatively inexpensive to implement.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that has limited impact on the environment
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that is capable of sustain sufficient water flow to power mechanical components that drive a turbine or a generator.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that limits waste of kinetic energy by avoiding overflow and spillage associated with traditional paddle wheel devices.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that is able to provide a controllable flow of water.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus needing little maintenance, due to the small number of moving parts.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.
The reservoir 5 is preferably between 15 and 20 feet deep between the surface of the water and the casing top 94, which is the entry point for the water. However, as long as the water level is above the piston opening 65, it will probably not matter how much higher the water is. Alternatively, the ratio of depth of water to the volume of the piston assembly 10 should be preferably 2:1. It is preferable to install the present invention near the bottom where the volume of the water and the water pressure is the greatest. However the device may also be placed substantially close to the top of the water line, as long as the water line is high enough to flow into the piston opening 65 of the casing 60. It is also preferable to dispose the piston assembly 10 near a retaining wall 240 as shown, where it can serve as drainage or as a supplemental drainage system, to prevent water from wastefully splashing over the retaining wall 240. One skilled in the art will understand that this
In the preferred embodiment, the water container 20 is the movable portion of the water piston assembly 10, whereas the casing 60 is the part that is securely immobilized within the base 260. There is no preferred means of immobilizing the casing 60 within the base 260, but some of the conventional examples are riveting, crimping, welding, soldering, brazing, taping, gluing, cementing, or through the use of various adhesives. The preferred volume of the casing 60 is between 2,000 and 4,000 cubic feet, with the preferred volume of the water container 20 is less than or greater then the volume of the casing 60. Additionally, the casing 60 is shown as mounted on top of the base 260. In an alternative embodiment, the casing top 94 is flush with the surface of the base 260 with only the piston assembly openings 65 visible at the top. The piston opening 65 is preferably between 10 and 20 feet/inches wide and between 15 and 30 feet/inches long, and may additionally contain a semi-permeable wire mesh that, depending on the grid density, can function to prevent the cylinder assembly from getting clogged up or to even serve as a filtering system. If the environment has the water flow to support it, the casing 60 really has no limit in the size, which in turn can create an unlimited amount of renewable energy.
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Another alternative embodiment of the present invention is to have a water container 20 that is capable of tipping over when full. Given the current diagramed configuration, such a tipping water container 20 would only be tipping partially with the container top 30 remaining within the hollow space 90 even during the tipping stage (not shown). Although this embodiment would call for a more elaborate water container 20, it would also cause the water to discharge more rapidly. This in turn would lead to a quicker water flow down the water exit assembly 250.
Alternatively
The detection mechanism can be accomplished with a simple circuit breaker wire connector, where the container top 30 has a metal plate that completes a circuit when the water container 20 is at a predetermined desired position for such operation. This may be accomplished by having a section of current conducting material disposed on the sidewall 50. The current conducting material is engaged as the water connector 20 advances upward within the hollow gap 90, causing the current conducting segment to come in contact with two ends of exposed wiring that are connected in a circuit to a power supply (not shown). The power supply may be a battery, a current feed from a generator or from a conventional power supply grid. The location of the current conducting material is calibrated so that when the water container 20 is an optimal position, the current conducting segment is linking the two wires, thus completing an electric circuit and enabling the flow of current. The same circuit that enables the detection mechanism can also supply power to the electric motor (not shown) within the hinges 125, either directly or through a safety switch, or a circuit breaker. Once the doors 100 open, the water container 20 gradually becomes heavier due to an influx of water and begins to move downward. The current conducting segment eventually moves away from the two ends of a wire and breaks the circuit, thus cutting power to the electric motors power the doors 100. This forces the doors 100 to close under the weight of new water that has entered the casing 60 and under the weight of the water above the piston opening 65 that is exerting pressure on the upper surface of the doors 110.
Alternatively, the doors 100 can be enabled through mechanical means by a system of pulleys and levers. The same motion of the sidewall 50 of the water container 20 within a hollow gap 90 would engage the hinges 125 for the doors 100 by means of a pinion gear, cable around a pulley or worm drive.
A probable pinion mechanism would work by having a segment of an annular gear (not shown) disposed on the sidewall 50, on the side facing the hinges 125. The annular gear would engage a pinion gear (not shown), which would in turn engage the pinion mechanism on the hinges 125. In this configuration when an annular gear moves upward and engages a pinion gear, the pinion gear will turn in a clockwise direction. The pinion gear on the hinge 125, that is engaged by the pinion gear presently turning in a clockwise direction, will be begin turning in a counter clockwise direction, thus opening the doors 100. The process of closing the doors is precisely the same, except that now the annular gear is moving downwards, a pinion gear is turning counter clockwise, and the pinion gear on the hinge 125 is turning clockwise, closing the doors. One skilled in the art will understand that this pinion mechanism description is true, if the pinion gear is engaged by the annular gear on the left side, to operate a left side section of door 100. When the annular gear engages the pinion gear on the right side the process is the same but in a reverse order to that of the left, namely, as annular gear moves upward, the right side engaged pinion gear turns counter-clockwise, turning the pinion gear on the hinges 125 in a clockwise direction to open the right side section of the door 100, and in reverse order to close.
A similar setup of worm gears would enable the operation the doors 100. The worm gears tend to be less efficient than spur gears, but are also more compact and self-locking. Due to this difference, a larger embodiment of the present invention will likely use spur gearing, whereas, a worm wheel mechanism will be preferred in more compact embodiments, or when the water pressure inside the casing 60 is especially high.
Alternatively, a “cable around a pulley” mechanism may be used to enable the operation of doors 100. The likely function will be similar to the gear drive described above. A cable (not shown) is connected to the sidewall 50. This cable is turned around the lower pulley (not shown), and then around the top of the upper pulley (not shown), which may be the hinge 25 or a separate pulley. The second pulley may be slightly offset from the vertical axis of the lower pulley, but does not need to be. Due to the potential size of this mechanism, the cable and pulley arrangement may need to be implemented outside the outer wall 80. As the sidewall 50 slides upward, the cable is pulled downwards between the pulleys, thereby forcing the doors 100 to open. As the water container 20 sinks, the sidewall 50 slides downwards, the cable between the pulleys slackens. At some point the force of gravity coupled with the weight of the water on the upper surface of the doors 110 is greater than the pulling force of the cable, thereby forcing the doors 100 to close.
As an aside, it needs to be mentioned that the outer wall 80 is not strictly necessary, and the sidewall 50 can alternatively form an advancing and retreating jacket around the inner wall 70, which will also function as guide for the sidewall 50.
Another alternative embodiment compatible with
The crankshaft 180 of the power transfer system 140 is responsible for linking the two water piston assemblies 10A and 10B, which are exactly alike and shown in a reciprocal configuration that is phased apart at 180° due to the arrangement of the crank rods 200, also known in the art as crank throws. Each connecting rod 150 is connected via pivot 155, which may be a piston pin, gudgeon pin or a wrist pin (none shown), to the container bottom 40 on the first end 160. The second end 170 connects to the crankpin 190, also known in the art as a crank journal. Water tight bearing or lubrication rings will likely be used in both the first end 160 and in second end 170. The greatest strain is borne by the second end 170 and the crankpin 190, so that a bearing ring is most preferable to be disposed on that end. The crank rods 200 create the pulling and the pushing force that is powered by the weight of water inside the water containers 20, coupled with a force of gravity. Each pair of crank rods 200 frames a crankpin 190, and each crank rod 200 and crankpin 190 combination is connected to the main shaft 195. The bearing ends 205 of the main shaft 195 rotate inside bearing rings (not shown) of a fixating structure (not shown). Such a structure would immobilize the crankshaft 180 and only permit axial rotational movement of the main shaft 195. The main shaft 195 is not a single shaft that runs the length of the crankshaft 180, but is rather a series of segments that link the crank rods 200 together.
Alternatively, the bearing ends 205 may be connected through a series of gears to supplemental shafts, thus forming a transmission of hydropower into a mechanical power to enable mechanized processes to occur (not shown), or to a be converted into electrical power by a direct connection to an electrical generator (not shown).
It should be noted that the emphasis is on an efficient and powerful device. Therefore, it may be preferred to limit the maximum size of the present invention only by the space available within a body of water where the present invention is installed, and by the volume and depth of water within this body. One skilled in the art will understand that some components of the power transfer system 140 may become impractical or unnecessary based on size, the overall concept of reciprocating water piston assemblies 10 will always remain true.
Depending on the size of the crankshaft 180 and on its revolutions, there may be a need to add counterweights to the crank rods 200, to limit the stress on the crankpins 190 and on the bearing ends 205. A crankshaft needs to be especially strong and is therefore commonly made out of metal, stainless steal, vanadium, micro-alloyed steel or any strong but rust resistant material. A crankshaft 180 may be assembled from several components as shown, or may be monolithic segment that is either forged or machined from a single steel bar or cast from a mold.
An alternative power transfer system 140 may be in the form of pinion gear, cable around a pulley or worm drive. The pinion gear embodiment is described in
One worm drive alternative embodiment of the power transfer system 140 would have two water piston assemblies 10 that are disposed next to one another, have one connecting rod 150, and each connecting rod 150 have an annular gear that engages a single or a combination of spur or worm gears disposed on a support structure (not shown) in between the two piston assemblies. The reciprocating motion of the water piston assemblies 10 would be communicated through gear communication and the operation of the water cylinders would otherwise function as described above or in
The entire present invention is set into motion by the presence of sufficient amount of water in the reservoir 5. In
It should be noted that the present invention will continue to function as long as the water inside the reservoir 5 remains above a certain volume, preferably between 75 cfps and 100 cfps. Alternatively, the reciprocal motion of the present invention can be supplement by a separate motor (not shown), connected to one or both of the bearing ends 205. As such, the present invention will also function as a drain, since it will be able to channel water out of the reservoir 5 as long as the water level remains above the casing top 94, which may be at the base 260 of the reservoir 5, if the casing 60 is submerged (not shown) as in an alternative embodiment.
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It is worth noting that one skilled in the art will appreciate that the reciprocating force of the water piston assemblies 10A and 10B is converted into rotational mechanical energy by the crankshaft 180 which itself can be connected to an electrical energy when connected directly to an electric generator.
The water exit assembly 250 is shown as substantially flat, preferably having grooves or channels to direct water to an electric generator, a paddle wheel or an impulse turbine all of which convert the kinetic energy of the water flow to a of a paddle or a turbine, which is then converted to an electrical energy by an electrical generator. The water exit assembly 250 may be in the shape of a gutter, a water shoot, a pipe or a flat surface that may or may not contain directional elements.
The present invention may be installed into the bed of a natural or existing man-made waterway. If that is the case, the area below the base 260, which represents a river bed or a bed of the man-made waterway, may be excavated to provide sufficient height and width clearance for the motion of the water cylinder 20, the power transfer system 140, and the water exit assembly 250. Once the device is installed into the excavated pit, the excavated area may be sealed to water from the reservoir 5. Alternatively, if possible, the entire assembly, having a retaining wall 260, a base 260 and water exist system 250, along with all the other preferred components may be installed onto an existent river bed or bottom of a reservoir 5. However, the area below the base 260 may be made free of water and the retaining wall 240 should preferably be above the existing surface of the water.
In this embodiment the cylinder 270 has been immobilized within the base 260, essentially becoming a conventional cylinder. The motion inducement is still being supplied by the gravitational force coupled with the weight of a particular volume of water that is situated above the opening 310 of this alternative embodiment of the present invention. The volume of water may be somewhat less then the required volume of water in the preferred embodiment, since the piston 55 is often, but not always, lighter than the water container 20. The water enters the cylinder 270 of the empty water piston assembly 10A through the first door system 100A, which is currently open. The water begins to exert downward pressure on the piston 55, which begins to retreat in a downward direction. This downward motion of the piston generates suction forces, further inducing an inflow of water into the cylinder 270.
The power transfer system 140 is preferably linked to an energy generation device or like a generator or a turbine, or to an energy dispersion device such as a transmission system that may have a gear mechanism or a cable and pulley mechanism, or a shaft and belt mechanism. It is preferable that in the present invention the power transfer system 140 is linked to a generator that generates electricity. The likely means by which electricity may be produced by some of the simpler generators may be for a bearing end 205 to be coupled, either directly or indirectly, to an armature loop located between two magnets (not shown). The rotation of the armature loop within a constant magnetic field would cause an electromagnetic force to be present in a circuit connected to such generator. Alternatively, the power transfer system may provide the mechanical energy to a turbine, which may be part of an electrical energy generator device. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that the present invention provides a steady and reliable source of mechanical energy and that there are multiple ways in which the mechanical energy may into electrical energy.
Alternatively the mechanical energy created by the present invention, in particular, by the power transfer system 140, may be dispersed, and used to drive various mechanical devices. This dispersion may be accomplished by connecting one or both of the bearing ends 205 of the present invention to a transfer mechanism having a series of interconnecting spur or worm gears, which then connect to a device needing power, such as factory equipment, conveyer belts, air pumps an any other similar adaptation. As the crankshaft 180 would spin, it would also set in motion any gears connecting to it and any equipment connecting it directly or to gears.
A pulley and cable system or a shaft and belt system, will most likely work in substantially similar fashion, except that the gears would be replaced by a pulley wheel or wheels, or by a shaft. The spinning of the crankshaft 180 of the power system 140 would cause the spinning of a pulley system or a shaft system, which in turn would pull belts or cabling attached to such systems and would also provide mechanical power to devices connecting to such belts or cabling. Alternatively, the mechanical energy produced by the power transfer system 140 of the present invention may be embodied within a spinning pinion wheel 220 with the rocker arm 210 or within a mechanism of cable with pulleys or a combination of interconnected gears.
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Once the piston 55 passes the second door system 100B, it causes the second door system 100B to open and the first door system 100A to close, thus expelling the water within the cylinder 270. Once the cylinder 270 of the water piston assembly 10 is empty the pressure exerted on the power transfer system 140 by the piston 55 in the water piston assembly 10B becomes greater, causing piston 55 in the water piston assembly 10B to fall and the piston in the water piston assembly 10A to rise. Thus the process repeats itself until the water level falls below the required amount necessary to create sufficient pressure within the cylinders 270 to drive the power transfer system 140. The second door system 100B discharges water unto a water exit assembly (not shown) that is similar to the water exit assembly 250 disclosed in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. All other components not altered in this embodiment also remain the same. The water may be channeled into a turbine or a generator to create an electrical current.
The first door system 100A and the second door system 100B are enabled through motion of the piston 55. One simple device to control the first and second door systems 100A and 100B can be two independent or interlinked levers that either open or close as the piston 55 moves along the cylinder 270. As the piston 55 moves up, it engages a lever controlling the second door system 100B, causing it to close. As the piston 55 continues to rise, it trips a second lever to open the first door system 100A. This second lever may have a part that can only be engaged when the piston 55 gets closer to the bottom 290, to prevent the first door system 100A from closing too early. Alternatively, a lever at the bottom of the cylinder 270 may contain a single lever that is engaged with the downward pressure of the cylinder and causes the first door system 100A to close and the second door system 100B to open. This lever is released, when the piston 55 begins to move upward, closing the second door system 100B and opening the first door system 100A. However, to enable such a lever, the first door system 100A will additionally need to be spring-loaded to remain in a shut position when a the lever is released and the first door system 100A will need to spring-loaded to remain in an open position when this lever is release. These are just several enabling structures and there may other ways to enable the coordinated operation of the first and second door systems 100A and 100B.
Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.
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